Karlsruhe CC vs MCC Friendly (23 Mar 2019)

This year we started our season a little early. It was unusual for many MCC members to play cricket already in March. Some traveled to Malta for their Cricket tour and the rest planned to visit Karlsruhe for a pre season friendly match. Cars were arranged, travelers were distributed in group of 4-5 and all other necessary arrangements were already made. MCC decided to travel with 13 of its members for a friendly match to Karlsruhe under Skipper Varun Deshpande´s lead. The journey started at approx 7.45am from Munich with the travelling party making up good time to reach Karlsruhe at around 11:45am.

Üpon arrival, the weather was beautiful, lots of sunshine, nice calm wind and the beginning of summer feeling in the Air. Our Skipper won the toss and decided to field first on an amazing batting pitch.

Imtiaz was handed the new ball and new MCC member Naveen joined him as an opening pair. Both bowled well and hit the right areas, but it was Naveen who got the first break through, his first wicket for MCC. The third ball of his second over saw the Batsman misjudge the Swing and Bounce of the ball, Sagar edged the Ball and it landed in the safe hands of Skipper Varun. On the fifth ball of same over New batsman heaved ball, which took a top edge and went straight in the air into the hands of Frenchboy Zeeshan at point.

First bowling change was Mahmoud and Rahul, another good combination. Both kept the score low but were unlucky not to pick up a wicket. Although there was one drop catch of KCC captain Talha at mid wicket by Usman Sandhu on Rahul Dave´s bowling. After 10 overs it was time for some spin. Aditya Dube like his reputation started with his Dominance over ball. In his 3rd over, He grabbed Talha as his first victim for the season. From the other end Praful toke also took his first wicket for season as one of the opener Tahir.

Next bowling change was Usman and Shashi. Usman troubled the opponents with his magical spell. He bagged 2 wickets but dropped 3 catches off his own bowling. Unfortunately Shashi was expensive hence he decided to stop after his 2nd over. Zeeshan replaced Shashi and was successful in his second over. Rahim mistimed Zeeshan´s legspin and got caught at long on by Shashi.

KCC survived till 35th over and were all out for 145.

MCC opened the innings with Obaid and Mahmoud. They started steady and looked confident while batting. Mahmoud was the first wicket to fall for MCC. On last ball of 4th over, Mahmoud edged ball to second slip : MCC 18/1 After 4 overs

Praful came one down replacing Mahmoud. He also started steady and confident. He got caught behind on Rahims 2nd and inns 10th over : MCC 45/2 after 10 Overs.

At the other end, Obaid was playing some nice shots and kept the scoreboard moving. He was joined by Paul B. He started his innings with style. After adding 10 more runs to scorecard Obaid had to depart due to a Run out. (Nice umpiring Praful Toke). : MCC 55/3 after 13 Overs.

Skipper Varun joined Paul and then there was a change in the Tempo of the game. This Duo dominated KCC bowlers. Runs were coming all around the wicket. Just when we thought that the game would be over soon, Paul got bowled on Harjits bowling in 22nd over : MCC 128/4 .

Shashi walked in and walked out with a golden duck, Leg before wicket in the same over. : MCC 128/5 after 22nd overs.

Next was Zeeshan to depart : MCC 141/6 after 23 overs.

MCC concluded match in 25th over for their First win for the season.

Scorecard as follows

KCC Vs MCC

Away Friendly Match (35 Overs) Summary

MCC won the Toss and elected to field first.

KCC 146 Allout in 34.1 Overs.

Bowling Card : O-M-R-W

Imtiaz Ahmad 7.0-0-26-1

Naveen Krishna 4.1-0-6-3

Mahmoud Khan 5.0-0-36-0